Research Methodology: Understanding the Layers of Saunders' Research Onion

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Saunders’ Research Onion
Saunders research onion directly helps in understanding research methodology and
research skills in an appropriate and effective manner (Sahay, 2016). Saunders research onion is
made up of six layers that helps in development of research philosophy in an appropriate manner.
Research philosophy
First layer is of research philosophy. It is a foundation of any study that helps in
describing set of belief upon which a research is built upon. In order to describe a research
philosophy ontological or epistemological point of view can be used to understand and describe
research philosophy. Ontology helps in describing what and how of what researcher known
about a research. In other words, it can be said that ontology helps in explaining nature of reality,
and what can be known as understood. Whereas, Epistemology explain ways in which
knowledge can be obtained for understanding thing. It helps in finding what reality is and what
are the main limits of the knowledge (Sinha, Clarke and Farquharson, 2018). There are three
main types of research philosophies that operates on different ontological and epistemological
assumptions. However, research philosophies are not only three but these three are most
commonly used, these are explained below:
Positivism: As per this philosophy, knowledge exist far outside what is being studied because as
per this philosophy, things that are being studied can be done so objectively and cannot include
personal point of view of people or their opinion. As per this positivism philosophy true
knowledge can be acquired only through empirical studies which is completely based upon
observations and measurements.
Interpretivism: It focuses upon influence that cultural and social factors can have upon an
individual (de Oliveira Orth,and Maçada, 2020). This philosophy focuses upon thinking, ideas
and thoughts of people in light of socio-cultural backdrop. Researcher having interpretivism
research philosophy participate activity within a research.
Pragmatism: Whereas pragmatism is a research philosophy that majorly focuses upon
highlighting importance of using best possible tools that can be used for investigating
phenomenon. This philosophy is used when a research is required to be approached from a
practical point of view.
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